VOLUME 40
RISING to the
occasion Inside:
• Entrepreneurship from Kansas FFA Alumnus • Return of the Kansas Future Farmer • Excellence in Teaching • 2021 State CDE, LDE & Pro iciency Winners
ISSUE #1
ON THE COVER: 2020-2021 State Vice President Abby Johnson delivers her retiring address to listeners of the virtual 93rd Kansas FFA Convention. FALL 2021 State Officers Ashley Chandler
President Neodesha
Rachel Sebesta
Vice President Ellsworth
Eric Peterson
Secretary Clifton-Clyde
Jocelyn Dvorak
Treasurer Hiawatha
Lydia Watanabe
Reporter Arkansas City
Josey Schmidt
Sentinel Greeley County
State Staff Mr. Guy Shoulders State Advisor, KSDE Ms. Mary Kane State Executive Secretary Ms. Beth Gaines Kansas FFA Foundation Executive Director
District Officers EAST CENTRAL Cody Loganbill, Eudora; Taylor Hadl, Eudora; Peyton Sherron, Spinrg Hill; Seth Aistrup, Paola; Halle Finerty, Burlington; Carissa Dalquest, Council Grove NORTH CENTRAL Weston Schrader, Minneapolis; Reece Geer, Clay Center; Shelby Siebold, Clay Center; Natalee Bray, Pike Valley; Kiersten Morgan, Pike Valley; August Hulse, Minneapolis NORTHEAST Joey Marten, Onaga; Karlie Albright, Royal Valley; Ella Gantz, McLouth; Kaylee Lukert, St. Marys; Tyree Figge, Onaga; Jenna DeRouchey, Wamego NORTHWEST Kirsten Kyger, Russell; Karli Neher, Hays; Bethany Rother, Weskan; Kaley Wagner, Smith Center; Cappi Hoelting, Stockton; Amelia Jaeger, Hays SOUTH CENTRAL Cali Newdigger, Skyline; Mackenzie Anderson, Renwick, Aaron Blagg, Udall, Kyce Morgan, Arkansas City, Sage Toews, Canton-Galva, Mickelly Soyex, Marion-Florence SOUTHEAST Aidan Yoho, Yates Center; Emma Duff, Erie; Emma Kepley, Riverton; Gwen Fry, Uniontown; Zoe Rhodes, Girard; Carly Dreher, Iola SOUTHWEST Alec Walton, Stanton County; Payton Walk, Greeley County; Areli Rodriguez, Stanton County; Grant Theurer, South Central; Paisley Palmer, Satanta; Christian Pena, Sublette
THE RETURN OF THE KANSAS FUTURE FARMER W hat was once just history is now back in full force! We are excited to reintroduce the Kansas Future Farmer, a quarterly publication from the Kansas FFA Association, Foundation and Alumni and Supporters. Originally published from 1929 through 1980’s, the magazine was a way for the state office to keep in contact with members and partners across the state when instant communication wasn’t available. You can even explore these past publications via the history section of the new Kansas FFA Website (ksffa.org).
Though we’ve come a long way, we still want connect with, and highlight members, chapters and supporters from across the state. We are future farmers, future business men and women, and most importantly, future leaders. We look forward to the new Kansas Future Farmer arriving in your inboxes in the future.
From the President's Station
A
fter a busy summer of conferences, fairs, and trainings our members are prepared to reach for new heights this school year. The academic year is well underway, and the state officer team is ecstatic to
continue preparing new opportunities for students.
We are looking forward to providing unique and engaging experiences for members to work with others, serve their communities, and challenge their ability to grow. This year, let’s challenge ourselves to step out of our comfort zones, take advantage of these opportunities, and strive for excellence in our chapters, schools, and communities.
Teacher first An award winning agricultural education teacher describes how her program has found success through engagement. Story by Amy Fiegley, Photos courtesy of Arkansas City FFA
F
or Kasie Bogart, being an Agricultural Education teacher and FFA advisor is a dream that began her sophomore year in high school. “I have always loved FFA and always wanted everyone to experience it,” said Bogart. Kasie remembers taking a specific piece of advice at the start of her teaching career from her own high school Ag teacher, who said, “You are an Ag teacher first.”
Perkins Outstanding Service award winner. Her passion for agriculture and FFA is a commitment she is proud of.
“Find out what is important to your community and build on that” - Kasie Bogart on crafting successful FFA activities
Arkansas City Agricultural Education staff from left to right: Josie Reilly, Jacob Sumpter and Kasie Bogart.
That advice is something that she practices in her classroom at Arkansas City High School with her students, all while encouraging to them to go for a career they care about and to forever be an advocate for agriculture. The Arkansas City High School Agriculture Department, which also consists of Mr. Jacob Sumpter and Ms. Josie Reilly, was awarded the Kansas Association of Agricultural Education (KAAE) Outstanding Middle/Secondary program in January 2021. Just this year the trio found out that they have the most requested classes in the school, and with that, their FFA membership has flourished as well. Kasie was also recently recognized as the KAAE and K-ACTE Teacher of the Year and K-ACTE Carl
Engagement Beyond the Classroom With a new FFA season in full bloom, the chapter not only attends a variety of contests, but also hosts activities such as a district-wide Hoedown, chapter fun nights, as well as hosting Little Aggie Day for their local elementary schools and attending State and National FFA Conventions. Celebrating successes and creating traditions are very important for Kasie. The chapter conducts a program called “Member of the Month”, which recognizes outstanding members in the chapter. While growing the size of their classes allows for the department to have a greater influence, it can also present challenges that Bogart and her team tackle head on. “Having 300 students in the program can sometimes be a hard to implement a foundational SAE for first year students in our Ag classes,” Bogart said. To ensure that their students engage
with an SAE, they partner with local businesses and advisory board members to provide an SAE Day, which lets students experience agriculture firsthand.
Engaging Students and the Community For those chapters who are wanting to build their membership, Kasie would suggest brainstorming with their chapter officers on where they might see the potential problems or to work with the local community and see if there is a spark there. She also stresses the importance of selecting projects that the students are eager about, because it can make a difference. “Be willing to not just do the same activity year after year, but to change it up,” states Bogart. “Find out what is important in your community and build on that.”
Advanced Plant Sciece and Animal Science students at Arkansas City High School visit with local agriculturists to learn about corn harvest and production farming.
The past 14 and a half years of teaching have flown by for Bogart. With each new year that comes her way, her love for the program grows stronger and stronger. Watching her students become leaders and knowing that someday they will take on the world is something she cherishes as she continues to use her dream of teaching agriculture to positively affect the students of Arkansas City.
KANSAS FFA PHOTO CHALLENGE September Winner THEME: Sunrises and Sunsets WINNER: Noah Goss, Ellsworth TITLE: “Cows and Kansas Sunrises - The Perfect Pair” Want to get involved with the Photo Challenge? Follow along on Kansas FFA Social Media for monthly themes and instructions!
2021
STATE WINNERS
We are excited to celebrate the following members and chapters for their accomplishments in being named winners in the Proficiency, Career Development Event (CDE) and Leadership Development Event (LDE) award areas. These teams and individuals represented Kansas FFA at the 94th National FFA Convention and Expo this November. * State Level Competitions Only
Proficiency Award Winners Agricultural Education Rachel Sebesta, Ellsworth
Goat Production Clay Brillhart, Uniontown
Ritual Demonstration* Uniontown FFA
Agricultural Mechanics Design and Fabrication Lane Goodwin, Riverton
Grain Production Nicole Popelka, Republic County
Agricultural Mechanics Repair and Maintenance – Placement Morgan Doll, Renwick
Landscape Management Jenna Curry, Iola
Quiz Bowl* Yates Center FFA
Agricultural Processing Suhelia Rosas, Hugoton Agricultural Sales – Entrepreneurship Kyra Uphoff, Prairie View Agricultural Sales – Placement Elsie Sorrell, Labette County Agricultural Services Jay McClure, Hugoton Agriscience Research – Integrated Systems Ashlynn Shea, Junction City Beef Production – Entrepreneurship Wesley Denton, Valley Heights Beef Production – Placement Tucker Huseman, Ellsworth Dairy Production – Placement Katrina Ball, Republic County Diversified Agricultural Production Garner Grauerholz, Beloit Diversified Crop Production – Entrepreneurship Nathan Holz, Wamego Diversified Crop Production – Placement Charlie Wettstein Diversified Horticulture Tori Gilliland, Tonganoxie Diversified Livestock Production Molly McClure, Hugoton Environmental Science and Natural Resources Management Lily Rolf, Burlington Equine Science – Entrepreneurship Claudia Clark, Hugoton Equine Science – Placement Grace Dillinger, Hugoton Fiber and/or Oil Crop Production Kylie March, Labette County Forage Production Corwin Marten, Holton Forest Management and Products Jarred Bohnenkemper, Holton Fruit Production Robert McKain, Minneapolis
Nursery Operations Miranda Maulsby, Coffeyville Outdoor Recreation Tyran Zeiset, Hugoton Poultry Production Levi Meiwes, Iola Service-Learning Levi Stainbrook, Prairie View Sheep Production Sadie Marchiano, Fort Scott Small Animal Production and Care Victoria Bryan, Hugoton Specialty Animal Production Payton Walk, Greeley County Swine Production – Entrepreneurship Brody Nemecek, Iola Swine Production – Placement James DeRouchey, Wamego Vegetable Production Karlie Albright, Royal Valley Veterinary Science Katina Bartel, Holton
LDE Winners Agricultural Issues Canton-Galva FFA Creed Speaking Kadence Henke, Republic County Discussion Meet* Isaac Jirak, Udall Extemporaneous Public Speaking Jacob Brown, Minneapolis Employability Skills Weston Schrader, Minneapolis Marketing Plan Paola FFA Parliamentary Procedure - Novice Paola FFA Parliamentary Procedure - Senior Labette County FFA Prepared Public Speaking Carissa Dalquest, Council Grove
CDE Winning Teams Agricultural Communications Scott City FFA Agriculture Mechanics Louisburg FFA Agricultural Sales Labette County FFA Agronomy Labette County FFA Dairy Cattle Evaluation Iola FFA Entomology* Shawnee Heights FFA Farm & Ranch Management Paola FFA Floriculture Louisburg FFA Nursery Landscape Ottawa FFA Food Science Louisburg FFA Horse Evaluation Tonganoxie FFA Meats Evaluation Uniontown FFA Milk Quality & Products Louisburg FFA Veterinary Science Labette County FFA Livestock Evaluation Wamego FFA
A Past Kansas FFA member takes inspiration from farm accident and creates new product Story by Lucas Shivers, Photo by Adrian Austin of the Agriculturist
W
hile out in the hay meadow the summer after Blake Chance’s senior year of high school, a baler bearing went out almost causing a fire. “I was lucky it didn’t all burn up,” says Chance, from Hoyt, Kan., north of Topeka. “I didn’t want to lose the tractor with the baler, but the hitch pin was stuck.” Chance’s experience spurred a new, original design for a hitch pin. It took a few tries to create a working prototype. “Although the first one didn’t work, we eventually created my vision,” Chance says. “I sat there and wrote down a bunch of names. Quick-Pin just stuck.”
Planning and Marketing Thanks to an entrepreneurial class at KSU and third place finish at an event called Launch for new ideas, he applied Quick-Pin for patent pending status in 2019. Then for six months, Chance thought Quick-Pin was “dead in the water.” “I didn’t think I could find anyone to make it,” he says. Yet in Jan. 2020 before COVID, Chance connected with a producer near Topeka. The first shipment of 250 Quick-Pins
arrived in April. “It’s hard to know what would have happened without COVID,” he says. “I couldn’t go to any farm shows, but I did a lot of online work.” Chance used social media connected from the family farm, with his parents DJ and Kristi, along with his older sister Ashley. “Thankfully, I had an Instagram with 40K followers from the farm to share about Quick-Pin,” Chance says. “I made some videos on TikTok and sold a few that way. It all worked out.”
Deep Roots in FFA Currently a senior in ag business at KSU with a possible entrepreneurial minor, Chance reflected on the inspirations to his perseverance and resilience. “In FFA, I was always giving it a try,” Chance says. “I always went for it, and it worked.” When the Royal Valley chapter reestablished his 8th grade year, the fresh start allowed for an influx of new ideas. “I don’t know what I would have done without FFA,” Chance says. “I was involved with countless events and so many people.”
He took on the role of chapter president his junior and senior year after serving as sentinel. “The elementary ag day showcased machinery and animals,” Chance says. “Everyone needs to know about ag, and we have to do better to share how we operate.”
Strong, Lasting Connections Chance said the benefits of his connections from FFA, KSU and other networks paid off with QuickPin.
“Folks continue to help out with my business now that I first met at the Kansas State FFA Convention,” Chance says. “It’s all about who you know and getting the right people to get things done. Some people may think you’re some young, dumb kid; but I got most to take me seriously.” His advice for FFA members: Get your foot in the door and see where it all leads in the future. “You never know where new things will lead to,” Chance says. “Go for it in all of the CDEs and SAEs. One thing can lead to another.”
Are You Looking to Expand your SAE? Apply for a National or Kansas FFA Foundation SAE Grant! The SAE Grant application process is currently open for FFA members and closes November 15. Students are eligible to receive $1,000 to start or expand their SAEs. 57 Kansas FFA members received funding last year. Head to ffa.org/sae-grants to learn more and apply.
The Foundation Corner by Beth Gaines
A
s we get into the swing of the fall season and begin to count the blessings of the past year, we at the Kansas FFA Foundation want to thank you for all of your support of agricultural education and the FFA. Through your generous gifts of time, talent and treasures, our team successfully hosted the 93rd Kansas FFA Convention on a virtual platform, provided over $100,000 dollars to FFA members pursuing post-secondary degrees in agriculture, and supported over 20 new agricultural education instructors in the state of Kansas through the Beginning Educator Support Team (BEST) program. Your generous one-time and monthly gifts allow these programs to be successful, but did you know that you can also support FFA members by donating through the Gift of Grain program? When dropping off grain at an elevator, co-op or other selling facility, let the scale operator know
what portion of your load is for the Kansas FFA Foundation. The current market price for that amount of grain will be directed to the Foundation. Finally, as the Association membership continues to grow, our leadership recognized that the Foundation needed to grow alongside it. We are excited to introduce our new Development Coordinator to you in the near future, so keep an eye on our social channels for that announcement. Thank you for your support of the Kansas FFA Foundation and our vision to serve with purpose, give with passion, and grow the legacy.
Kansas FFA Association 108 Umberger Hall 1612 Claflin Road Manhattan, KS 66506
STATE OFFICERS CREATE NEW PODCAST T he 2021-22 State Officer team recently launched their newest communication effort, the “Stationed By the Mic” podcast which can be heard on Spotify. “The podcast was created to connect with members across the state,” Kansas FFA Vice President Rachel Sebesta said. “Often, members only see state officers once or twice a year and we are acting in an official capacity. This podcast allows them to see us in a more casual light and get to know all of us on a personal level.”
Hosted by the state officer team, the podcast will share behind the scene moments from their year of service, discussions relating to agricultural news and happenings around the state and nation, and recognition of members and the hard work they do to grow leaders, build communities, and strengthen agriculture. To find and listen to the newest podcast, open the Spotify application and search “Stationed by the Mic”.
digitally CONNECT
See our website (www.ksffa.org) for more information on the following: Calendar of Events List of Chapters and Districts List of Foundation Sponsors Awards Programs
/KSFFA
/KANSASFFAFOUNDATION @KANSASFFA @KSFFA /KSSTFFA WWW.KSFFA.ORG